Beautiful Sasanqua Camellias- Winter Flowers in Edmonds

Most gardeners find much beauty in the camellia family.  The sasanqua camellias have a special place because they bloom when other trees and shrubs are finished blooming.

From late October to the end of winter flower lovers will enjoy them.

One of the first to bloom is sasanqua ‘Apple blossom’.  The white flowers touched with pink cover the bush.  They will survive light frosts, but a hard frost ends their blooming.

Red flowering ‘Kanjiro’ is another beautiful sasanqua.  As with other sasanquas placing it in a more protected spot such as against a wall, fence or hedge will help the camellia thrive. Kanjiro can be seen growing happily just south of the front entrance to North Sound Church at 404 Bell Street.

‘Setsugekka’ is white flowering and also comes out a bit later.  You can see an example at the south-side planting area of the main building at the Edmonds Center for the Arts. Its protected site helps the white flowers to thrive.

Camellia ‘Yuletide’ blooms later.  The red blossoms with a bright yellow center start blooming near Thanksgiving and also bloom before and after Christmas.  When a hard frost arrives the blooms will die, but there is a saving grace.  Their unopened flowers will stay alive and give us a longer blooming time.

Camellias are not natives so be aware of their need for water in the summer or during dry spells. Those which are not blooming well may need a bit of acid fertilizer in March, May or July.

Camellias are not usually subject to a lot of diseases.  If given care in locating them and meeting their basic needs gardeners can expect to enjoy their beauty for many years.

Barbara Chase

Barbara Chase is a Master Gardener who serves on the City of Edmonds Citizens Tree Board.